J Taylor

A Reservist and their mobilisation

Did you know that, as a Reservist, you can be deployed anywhere around the world? Gunner Heseltine, an Army Reservist with 210 Battery, 103 Regiment RA based in Wolverhampton, has been a Reservist for just over three years.  In March this year he returned from a six-month deployment to Estonia for Op CABRIT – NATO’s Enhanced Forward Presence in the Baltic States. “Being…

Military reserve exchange programme

A British Artillery Officer’s exchange with 1-125 Field Artillery, Minnesota National Guard People often think of the differences when they work with military from another country, but what is actually most interesting are the similarities.  It is heartening to know that some things are universal. In order to be able to pack correctly for what would be an extended stay in the US,…

Volunteer champions benefits of joining the Army Cadets

A volunteer from Shrewsbury is encouraging other adults in Shropshire to consider taking up volunteering opportunities to enhance the lives of young people in the region. Second Lieutenant Martin Dowley, 51, has been a volunteer with Shropshire ACF (Army Cadet Force) for the past two years, and is currently the Detachment Commander of the Pontesbury Detachment.  He joined the ACF as a Cadet Force…

West Midlands Platinum Jubilee Tattoo

At the end of April the Armed Forces and Cadet Forces in the West Midlands came together to celebrate Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and military support for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. West Midland Reserve Forces and Cadets Association were pleased to be able to support the evening event at the University of Birmingham, which had a musical and sports theme….

Midlands Army Athletics Championships

Army athletics teams from across the Midlands and Wales were the first to compete at the brand new Alexander Stadium in Birmingham. Located in Perry Barr, the stadium will play a key part in the upcoming Birmingham Commonwealth Games in July.  Working in partnership with Birmingham City Council, the Army from Headquarters West Midlands hosted the Midlands Army Athletics Championships as a showcase…

RAF Reserves showcase successful year to date

Across our region the Reserve Forces are busy completing training, exercises and activities at their units.  Reservists from our only West Midlands based Royal Auxiliary Air Force Reserves at No. 605 (County of Warwick) Squadron have been no different. The squadron shared a round-up of their activities with us – read all about why 2022 has been a productive year for their Reservists…

Jubilee cycling challenge for Stourbridge Air Cadet

A determined cadet from 451 (Stourbridge) Squadron Air Training Corps is getting ready to take on an epic 600-mile cycling challenge.  Cadet Sergeant Alex Brown will be joined by his father, Ash Brown, who is also the Chairman of their civilian committee, as they start the route on the 27th May which will take them around the perimeter of the Wales & West…

Employers take on Army Reserve challenge

Over 20 employees from forces-friendly organisations in our region tested their leadership skills at a unique challenge day run by 37th Signal Regiment and 159 Regiment Royal Logistic Corps. Three teams of staff from Auctus Management Group Ltd, High Speed Two Limited, RSS Infrastructure Ltd, Pertemps Group, Trident Group, IPU Group and West Midlands Ambulance Service completed a variety of practical and theoretical…